Its not about the money, and its not about Carroll. He's a quality player for what he is. Its about this team getting younger, and having guys coming through the system that will needed to be added to the 40 man, etc. I'm not even saying they wouldnt like to bring him back for 2014, I just think they want to have the option, not be binded to it. You never know how prospects are going to develop this year, you dont know what kind of trade offers you are going to get, you dont know which pending FA's from other teams might play well and start to become attractive, etc. There is just a ton of unpredictable things that will happen between now and December, you would like to be able to have that option of having a spot on the roster open if someone younger is ready for it. And, there is nothing to lose. If nobody is ready, and no FA's or trade options are attractive to the team, they can still bring him back on a 1 year deal.